Device and Method for Applying Nail Decals

ABSTRACT

A device and method for applying decals to fingernails or toenails involving a substrate and a plurality of decals temporarily affixed to a bottom surface of the substrate, wherein the substrate includes a central body portion, a plurality of stem portions extending outwardly from the central body portion and a decal application tab portion extending outwardly from each of the stem portions. The decal application tab portion has a size and shape corresponding to the size and shape of a human fingernail or toenail and has at least one decal temporarily affixed thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to nail decals or appliqués thatare applied to natural nails with an adhesive to enhance the cosmeticappearance of the nail, and more particularly to a device and method forapplying such nail decals or appliqués.

Artificial nails, nail decals and nail appliqués have been used for manyyears to enhance the cosmetic appearance of the fingers and toes. Someindividuals opt to use artificial nails because their own nails are tooweak to grow to a desirable length without breaking. Others chooseartificial nails because they are considerably stronger and more durablethan natural nails, and because nail polish adheres better to theartificial nail surface. Some individuals are unhappy with the shape andcontour of their natural nail and opt to use an artificial nail toimprove the appearance of their nails.

It has been known in the art of adorning the hands to provide ornamentalfingernail accessories made from thin, molded plastic membersmanufactured generally in the shape of a fingernail. Indeed, numerousartificial fingernail manufacturers have provided a variety ofcombinations of materials, arrangements, and colors in fingernailaccessories. For example, many conventional pre-designed fingernailsoften include a decorative design stenciled or air-brushed on a topsurface thereof.

The pre-designed artificial nail is glued to the surface of the naturalnail by applying an amount of a liquid bonding adhesive to the bottomsurface of the artificial nail and/or the top surface of the naturalnail to affix the accessory to the nail. An overlay is then typicallyapplied to the entire top surface of the artificial nail. The overlay isusually transparent or translucent so that the decorative design isvisible on the top surface of the artificial nail. Once the overlaysets, the artificial nail is shaped as desired.

It has also been known in the art of adorning fingernails and/ortoenails with nail decals or appliqués. Such decals or appliquéstypically take the form of a thermal- and/or pressure-sensitiveadhesive-backed film, which adds strength and beauty to nails. Theapplication of an opaque or clear graphic film onto fingernails ortoenails provides the elements of nail polish, but includes the addedbenefits of nail support, graphics, specialty colors, no liquid, no drytime, no brush, no mess, no uneven brush strokes, no chipping, no knowncancer causing chemicals, no fumes, and easy removal. With the advent ofsuch artificial fingernail accessories, the wearer could now haveintricately pre-designed fingernails that are attached to the naturalfingernail and then later easily removed.

However, conventional nail decals or appliqués are typically provided asan assortment of decorative designs provided on one or more transfersheets. Typically, the decorative designs are stenciled, air-brushed orhand-painted on some form of transfer sheet, wherein the user musttypically select a design from the sheet and apply it to the naturalnail. Often times, the designs are densely grouped on the transfersheet, which makes application of a single decal from the group adifficult process.

Specifically, in the case of decals using water activated adhesives,water applied to the substrate to loosen the selected decal will oftenrun into neighboring decals on the substrate. Alternatively, extricatingthe selected design from the others by cutting can also be a difficultprocess. In particular, once the selected design is cut from thetransfer sheet, the user is left with a small piece of paper, or othercarrier material, having the decal thereon, which then must bemanipulated into position over the natural nail in order to apply thedecal to the natural nail. Obviously, such manipulation is difficult andoften leads to the decal being dropped or the decal being misapplied toan undesirable location of the nail.

Moreover, because nail size varies from person to person, it isvirtually impossible to design a single nail decal or appliqué that willuniversally fit every fingernail. To address this problem, appliqué setshave been provided with multiple appliqués of varying size for eachfingernail. For instance, in a typical package of appliqués, there maybe two or more different appliqués for each finger, wherein eachappliqué for a particular finger is more slender than the others.

The obvious problem with this approach is the increased expense involvedand the larger packaging required for providing multiple appliqués perfingernail. This would naturally disadvantageously affect both consumerswho would be required to pay more per package and retailers who wouldhave to stock and display larger packages.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a single set of naildecals or appliqués that provides the user with multiple designvariations depending on how the appliqué is placed on the natural nail.It would be further desirable to provide a single set of nail decalsthat eliminates the step of cutting an individual decal out from theothers. It would be still further desirable to provide a single set ofnail decals that can be easily manipulated during application and hasprovisions to aid in the accurate positioning of the decals on thenails.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device and a method for applying nail decalsor appliqués to a natural fingernail or toenail. The device generallyincludes a substrate and a plurality of decals temporarily affixed to abottom surface of the substrate. The substrate includes a central bodyportion, a plurality of stem portions extending outwardly from thecentral body portion and a decal application tab portion extendingoutwardly from each of the stem portions. Each decal application tabportion has a size and shape corresponding to the size and shape of ahuman fingernail or toenail and has at least one decal temporarilyaffixed thereto.

In a preferred embodiment, the substrate has a plurality of differentlysized decal application tab portions corresponding to the differentsizes of human fingernails or toenails. The decal application tabportions are preferably defined by opposite longitudinal ends, whereineach of the longitudinal ends has a peripheral contour matching thecontour of the cuticle portion of the human fingernail or toenail.

The substrate may be made of a water permeable material, wherein thedecals are temporarily affixed to the substrate with a water activatedadhesive. In an alternative embodiment, the decals are temporarilyaffixed to the substrate with a dry transfer adhesive.

The central body portion of the substrate is preferably an elongatemember having a longitudinal extent and the plurality of stem portionsextend outwardly from the central body portion in opposite lateraldirections. The central body portion further preferably has at least onedecal disposed on a bottom surface thereof and further preferablyincludes a perforation for separating the device into two parts.

Each of the stem portions preferably includes at least one frangibleportion for separating the decal application tab portion from thecentral body portion. In a preferred embodiment, the frangible portionis a perforation.

The substrate has a top surface opposite the bottom surface and the topsurface preferably has a printed image disposed directly opposite atleast one of the decals, wherein the printed image depicts the decaldisposed on the bottom surface directly opposite the printed image.

In a method for applying decals to fingernails or toenails according tothe present invention, a substrate with a plurality of decalstemporarily affixed to a bottom surface thereof, as described above, isutilized. The method includes the steps of selecting a decal applicationtab portion having a desired decal and a size matching the size of thefingernail or toenail to which the decal is to be applied, aligning theshape of the selected decal application tab portion with the shape ofthe fingernail or toenail to which the decal is to be applied andtransferring at least one decal from the aligned decal application tabportion to the fingernail or toenail.

In a one embodiment, the aligning step includes the step of removing thedecal application tab portion from the central body portion and placingthe removed decal application tab portion on the fingernail or toenail.In an alternative embodiment, the aligning step includes the step ofplacing the selected decal application tab portion on the fingernail ortoenail while the decal application tab portion is still connected tothe central body portion.

The preferred embodiments, as well as other objects, features andadvantages of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that thedrawings are intended as an illustration only and not as a definition ofthe limits of the invention. The scope will be pointed out in theclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the front side of a device for applying naildecals formed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the back side of the device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of one of the decal application tabs ofthe device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, taken along the line 3-3.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIGS. 1-3 duringuse.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a method for using the device shownin FIGS. 1-4, according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a subsequent step of the method forusing the device shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a method for using the device shownin FIGS. 1-4, according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a subsequent step of the method forusing the device shown in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of a device 10,formed in accordance with the present invention, for applying naildecals is shown. The device 10 is preferably formed as a unitarysubstrate 11 having a plurality of spaced differently sized decalapplication tabs 12 connected to a central supporting body 14, such as acentral tree. Each of the decal application tabs 12 has at least onedecal 16 temporarily affixed thereto, and is preferably connected at oneend to the supporting structure 14 via a stem 18. The central supportingbody 14 is also preferably provided with a plurality of differentlysized decals 19 temporarily affixed thereto.

In a preferred embodiment, the central supporting body portion 14 of thesubstrate 11 is an elongate member having a longitudinal extent and thedecal application tab portions 12 extend outwardly from the body portionin opposite lateral directions. It is however conceivable for the decalapplication tabs 12 to extend from the central body 12 from only onelateral side. In either case, each decal application tab 12 extendsoutwardly from the supporting body 14 so that the user can readily seethe respective sizes of the tabs.

Preferably, the tabs 12 are arranged on the supporting body 14 in anaesthetically pleasing, as well as a functional pattern. In particular,the tabs 12 are preferably arranged in order of size and are positionedside-by-side along the supporting body 14. Since all the tabs 12, thecentral body 14 and stems 18 are provided as integral portions of thesubstrate 11, the decal application device 10 is rendered relativelyeasy to manufacture and to handle for subsequent packaging and use.

Each tab 12 has a size and shape that respectively substantiallycorresponds to the size and shape of a natural fingernail or toenail.The tabs 12 are provided in a variety of sizes to match the differentsizes of the natural nails of a particular user, as well as to match thedifferent sizes of nails from one user to the next. Each of the oppositelongitudinal ends 20 of each tab 12 has a peripheral contour 22, whichmatches the curvature of the cuticle portion of a natural fingernail ortoenail.

More specifically, each decal application tab 12 of the presentinvention has an initially planar oval shape defined by a convexlycurved distal end 20 and a convexly curved proximal end 20 opposite thedistal end. The length of the tab 12, defined as the distance betweenthe distal end and the proximal end, matches the length of thefingernail or toenail to which the decal 16 is to be attached. As willbe discussed in further detail below, the peripheral contour 22 of thedistal and proximal ends 20 of the tab 12 serves as a guide forpositioning the decal 16 on a natural nail.

In a preferred embodiment, the rounded distal end 20 and the roundedproximal end 20 have the same convex curvature, which may, for example,be defined by the same radius. The identical curvature of both thedistal end and the proximal end matches the curvature of the cuticleportion of a natural fingernail or toenail to which the decal 16 is tobe applied.

Thus, for example, one tab 12 a, shown in FIG. 1, may have a size, shapeand a matching curvature 22 at its distal and proximal ends 20 thatrespectively correspond to the size, shape and curvature of the cuticleportion of an index finger of an average wearer. Another tab 12 b mayhave a size, shape and a matching curvature 22 at its distal andproximal ends 20 that respectively correspond to the size, shape andcurvature of the cuticle portion of a thumb of an average wearer.

Alternatively, each decal application tab 12 may have differentcurvatures at its opposite longitudinal ends. Thus, for example, thedecal application tab 12 may have a curvature at its distal end thatcorresponds to the curvature of the cuticle portion on an index fingerof an average wearer, while its proximal end may have a curvature thatcorresponds to the curvature of the cuticle portion on a thumb of anaverage wearer.

In any case, it can be appreciated that a set of a plurality of tabs 12,as shown in FIG. 1, would typically be supplied as a package to thewearer, wherein decal application tabs 12 a, 12 b having end curvaturesmatching all of the fingers of the typical wearer would be provided.

The opposite ends of the stems 18 are preferably provided with frangibleportions 24 for detaching the decal application tab 12 from the stemand/or detaching the stem 18 from the central supporting body 14. Forexample, the frangible portion 24 of the stem 18 located adjacent thetab 12 allows for removal of the tab 12 from the stem, thereby leavingthe stem attached to the body portion 14. Similarly, the frangibleportion 24 located adjacent the body 14 allows for removal of the tab12, together with the stem 18, from the body.

The central supporting body 14 also preferably includes a frangibleportion 26 extending longitudinally down its center for splitting thedevice 10 into two halves. Both the frangible portions 24 of the stemand the frangible portion 26 of the body 14 are preferably formed as aperforation, which permits the decal application tab 12 and/or the stem18 to be easily and cleanly removed from the central supportingstructure.

Referring additionally to FIG. 3, each decal application tab portion 12has at least one decal 16 temporarily affixed to a bottom surface 28thereof In this regard, an adhesive 30 is provided between the decal 16and the substrate 11 in a typical laminar structure as is well known inthe art.

In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive 30 is a water activated or watersoluble adhesive and the substrate 11 is made of a water permeablematerial so as to allow water, applied to a top surface 32 of thesubstrate, to pass through the substrate to activate the adhesivedisposed on the bottom surface of the substrate. The moistened decal 16,with adhesive 30, is thus released from the substrate 11 and can betransferred to a human fingernail or toenail. Such water activatedadhesives are well known in the art of nail decal application and willnot be described in detail here. Materials used for water permeablecarrier substrates, such as paper stock films, for such water activateddecal applications are also well known in the art.

The invention, however, is not limited to this basic laminar structureand it is conceivable that the decal 16 can be provided together withthe application tab 12 of the present invention in other laminate formsor other forms known in the field of nail ornamentation. For example, adry transfer adhesive 30′ can be utilized, wherein the decal 16 istransferred to a natural fingernail or toenail using a dry transfertechnique known in the art. In another alternative, a self-adhesive,which is releasably peelable from the substrate 11 can be used.

Additionally, the decal 16 may take any form known in the art. Thus,exemplary embodiments of the decal 16 may include any graphic film knownin the art, such as 3M™ Scotchcal™ Graphic films, manufactured by the 3MCorporation. It is understood that other films, such as, for example,graphic films, self-adhesive films, vinyl, polyester, Mylar, latex,rubber, or other films may be used for this purpose.

As used herein, exemplary nail decals 16 may include, for example, anynon-liquid thermally curable pressure sensitive self-adhesive film.Exemplary materials may include thermal sensitive graphic films. Graphicfilm suitable for methods embodiments of the present invention mayinclude, for example, any self adhesive thin film type material vinylfilm, cast film (film manufactured by cast method), “2 mil” film, “highperformance” film, “long-term” film, or “premium” films. As used herein,“thin film” may include vinyl casting graphic film about 2 millimetersor less. In certain embodiments, the graphic laminate includes a graphicfilm of about 2 millimeter or less laminated to a clear coat vinylcasting film layer of about 2 millimeter or less. In certainembodiments, film and/or substrates may include various embedded visualeffects such as, for example, varying degrees of shading and/ortransparencies, varying background patterns, varying optical propertiessuch as, for example, refractivity, fluorescence, pearlescence,night-glow, clear, matte, glossy, holographic, iridescent, glitter,and/or other decorative visual effects.

The substrate 11 and/or the decal 16 may take the form of a vinyl film.As used herein, the term “vinyl film” may include any solid or flexiblefilm manufactured by casting methods known in the art. Exemplary vinylcasting films are well known in the graphic arts. In certainembodiments, exemplary vinyl films may comprise polyvinylchloride (PVC)polymer, polymeric or monomeric plasticizer (to modulate flexibility),pigment (to make desired coloration), UV absorbers (to improveresistance to UV radiation), heat stabilizers, fillers and processingaids. In certain embodiments, cast films may offer the added benefit ofdimensional stability, thinness (about 2 millimeters or less),conformability, durability, and a “paint-like” finish.

In one exemplary embodiment, the substrate 11, such as paper forexample, is coated with an adhesive coating to form the adhesive layer30. A uniform layer of partially cured nail polish material may beapplied over the adhesive layer in any desired shape to form the decal16.

In another exemplary embodiment, the substrate 11 is coated with anadhesive coating to form the adhesive layer 30 and a uniform layer ofpartially cured nail polish material may be applied over the adhesivelayer in the general shape of a natural nail forming a film of nailpolish 16. A second adhesive layer (not shown in FIG. 3) is then appliedto the opposite surface of the nail polish layer to provide an adhesivesurface opposite the substrate. Thus, when the film 16 of nail polish isremoved from the backing 11, it has an adhesive surface. A nail decal orappliqué 16 formed in this manner can be adhesively secured to afingernail by placing it and pressing on the nail.

The decals 16 can also take the form of printed films formed by anyconventional method. For example, printing methods contemplated as bestachieving the desired designs include, but are not limited to, silkscreening, flexographic printing, gravure printing, digital printing orDigital Flexo, offset printing, and hot stamping. Alternatively,decorative designs may be made as separate pieces and brought togetheron a single application tab 12.

Printed graphics layers may consist essentially of a dye- and/orpigment-containing layer capable of adhering, under the action of heatand/or pressure, to a thin film substrate, such as, for example, a vinylcasting film substrate. In this case, the graphics layer is the primarylayer which imparts visibility to the graphics laminate. It includesgenerally a pigment and/or dye material in which the graphic design isformed during the printing process, such as, for example, thermotransfer onto vinyl films. In certain embodiments, the dye orpigment-containing layer may be made up of a plurality of successivedye- or pigment-containing layers.

Returning to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, each decal 16 provided on eachapplication tab 12 is preferably provided with a matching image 34disposed on the front surface of the substrate 11 in registerrelationship with the decal. The decals 19 provided on the center bodyportion 14 are likewise preferably provided with matching images 35 onthe front surface of the substrate 11 in register relationship with thedecals 19. The image 34, 35 disposed on the top surface of the substrate11 depicts the decal 16, 19 disposed directly opposite the image on thebottom surface of the substrate. The image 34 may be a printed image andis preferably positioned with respect to the periphery of the substratein the same orientation as the decal 16 to which it corresponds. Thus,as will be discussed in further detail below, the user can position theimage 34 of the decal with respect to the nail and the correspondingdecal 16 will be positioned accordingly.

Turning now to FIGS. 4-8, use of the device 10 of the present inventionwill now be described. In an exemplary manner, to apply a decal 16 ofthe present invention, the surface of the natural nail 36 to which thedecal 16 is to be applied is pre-cleaned (e.g. alcohol or following amanicure). A tab 12 having the desired decal 16 and also having a sizeand shape matching the size and shape of the natural fingernail 36 isthen selected from one of the plurality of differently sized tabs of thedeice 10.

The contour 22 of the tab 12 is aligned with the contour of the cuticleportion 38 of the natural nail 36 and the tab 12 is then placed on thetop surface of the natural nail. This can be done by first removing theselected tab 12 from the central body 14, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, orthe tab 12 can be placed on the natural nail 36 while still attached tothe central body 14, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. As described above, thefrangible portions 24 of the stems 18 facilitate removal of the tabsfrom the body 14.

In either case, the central body 14 provides a convenient means forgrasping the device 10 with the opposite hand while applying the decal.The plurality of differently sized tabs 12 and the shape and peripheralcontour of each tab matching the shape and contour of the natural nailsprovide a convenient and accurate means for positioning the decal 16 onthe top surface of the natural nail 36. Finally, the printed image 34depicting the decal 16 being applied provides yet another guide foraccurately positioning the decal.

As mentioned above, the decal 16 can be transferred in several knownmanners. In a preferred embodiment, the decal 16 is provided with awater soluble adhesive and the substrate 11 is water permeable. In thisembodiment, an amount of water is applied to moisten the top surface 32of the substrate directly over the decal 16 to be applied, while the tabis aligned with the natural fingernail 36.

In other embodiments, a burnishing stick or other utensil is pressed andrubbed on the top surface 32 of the tab 12 directly opposite the decalto affect a dry-adhesive transfer technique. In other alternativeembodiments, the tab 12 is simply peeled off the nail 36 leaving thedecal 16 in place on the corresponding nail. In certain embodiments, thedecal 16 may be pre-heated to facilitate the ease of manipulation. Inall cases, the tab 12 is removed from the nail 36 after transfer of thedecal 16.

As a result of the present invention, a device for accurately andconveniently applying nail decals is provided. The device is easilymanufactured and can be simply applied. A package of one or more of suchdecal application devices according to the present invention can beprovided to the consumer at low cost and with relatively smallpackaging.

Although preferred embodiments of the present device and method havebeen described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it isto be understood that the herein device and method are not limited tothose precise embodiments and that various other changes andmodifications may be affected herein by one skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the invention, and that it isintended to claim all such changes and modifications that fall withinthe scope of the invention.

1. A device for applying decals to fingernails or toenails, the devicecomprising a substrate and a plurality of decals temporarily affixed toa bottom surface of said substrate, said substrate comprising: a centralbody portion; a plurality of stem portions extending outwardly from saidcentral body portion; and a decal application tab portion extendingoutwardly from each of said stem portions, said decal application tabportion having a size and shape corresponding to the size and shape of ahuman fingernail or toenail and having at least one decal temporarilyaffixed thereto.
 2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein saidsubstrate comprises a plurality of differently sized decal applicationtab portions corresponding to the different sizes of human fingernailsor toenails.
 3. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said substratecomprises a water permeable material and said decals are temporarilyaffixed to said substrate with a water activated adhesive.
 4. A deviceas defined in claim 1, wherein said decals are temporarily affixed tosaid substrate with a dry transfer adhesive.
 5. A device as defined inclaim 1, wherein said central body portion is an elongate member havinga longitudinal extent and said plurality of stem portions extendoutwardly from said central body portion in opposite lateral directions.6. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said stem portionscomprises at least one frangible portion for separating said decalapplication tab portion from said central body portion.
 7. A device asdefined in claim 6, wherein said frangible portion is a perforation. 8.A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said substrate has a top surfaceopposite said bottom surface, said top surface having a printed imagedisposed directly opposite at least one of said decals, said printedimage depicting said decal disposed on said bottom surface directlyopposite said printed image.
 9. A device as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid central body portion has at least one decal disposed on a bottomsurface thereof.
 10. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said decalapplication tab portions are defined by opposite longitudinal ends, eachof said longitudinal ends having a peripheral contour matching thecontour of the cuticle portion of the human fingernail or toenail.
 11. Adevice as defined in claim 1, wherein said central body portion includesa perforation for separating the device into two parts.
 12. A method forapplying decals to fingernails or toenails comprising the steps of:providing a substrate with a plurality of decals temporarily affixed toa bottom surface thereof, said substrate comprising a central bodyportion, a plurality of stem portions extending outwardly from saidcentral body portion and a decal application tab portion extendingoutwardly from each of said stem portions, said decal application tabportion having a size and shape corresponding to the size and shape of ahuman fingernail or toenail and having at least one decal temporarilyaffixed thereto; selecting a decal application tab portion having adesired decal and a size matching the size of the fingernail or toenailto which the decal is to be applied; aligning the shape of the selecteddecal application tab portion with the shape of the fingernail ortoenail to which the decal is to be applied; and transferring at leastone decal from said aligned decal application tab portion to thefingernail or toenail.
 13. A method as defined in claim 12, wherein saidsubstrate comprises a plurality of differently sized decal applicationtab portions corresponding to the different sizes of human fingernailsor toenails.
 14. A method as defined in claim 12, wherein said aligningstep comprises the step of removing said decal application tab portionfrom said central body portion and placing said removed decalapplication tab portion on the fingernail or toenail.
 15. A method asdefined in claim 14, wherein said stem portion of said substratecomprises a frangible portion for facilitating said removal of saiddecal application tab portion from said central body portion.
 16. Amethod as defined in claim 15, wherein said frangible portion is aperforation.
 17. A method as defined in claim 12, wherein said aligningstep comprises the step of placing the selected decal application tabportion on the fingernail or toenail while said decal application tabportion is still connected to said central body portion.
 18. A method asdefined in claim 12, wherein said substrate has a top surface oppositesaid bottom surface, said top surface having a printed image disposeddirectly opposite at least one of said decals, said printed imagedepicting said decal disposed on said bottom surface directly oppositesaid printed image.
 19. A method as defined in claim 12, wherein saiddecal application tab portions are defined by opposite longitudinalends, each of said longitudinal ends having a peripheral contourmatching the contour of the cuticle portion of the human fingernail ortoenail.
 20. A method as defined in claim 12, wherein said central bodyportion has at least one decal disposed on a bottom surface thereof. 21.A device for applying decals to fingernails or toenails, the devicecomprising a paper substrate and a plurality of decals temporarilyaffixed to a bottom surface of said substrate, said substratecomprising: a central body portion; a plurality of decal application tabportions extending outwardly from said central body portion, said decalapplication tab portions having a size and shape corresponding to thesize and shape of a human fingernail or toenail and having at least onedecal temporarily affixed thereto; and a perforation formed between saidcentral body portion and each of said decal application tab portions forseparating each of said decal application tab portions from said centralbody portion.
 22. A device as defined in claim 21, wherein saidsubstrate comprises a plurality of differently sized decal applicationtab portions corresponding to the different sizes of human fingernailsor toenails.
 23. A device as defined in claim 21, wherein said substratecomprises a water permeable paper material and said decals aretemporarily affixed to said substrate with a water activated adhesive.24. A device as defined in claim 21, wherein said decals are temporarilyaffixed to said substrate with a dry transfer adhesive.
 25. A device asdefined in claim 21, wherein said central body portion is an elongatemember having a longitudinal extent and said plurality of decalapplication tab portions extend outwardly from said central body portionin opposite lateral directions.
 26. A device as defined in claim 21,wherein said substrate has a top surface opposite said bottom surface,said top surface having a printed image disposed directly opposite atleast one of said decals, said printed image depicting said decaldisposed on said bottom surface directly opposite said printed image.27. A device as defined in claim 21, wherein said central body portionhas at least one decal disposed on a bottom surface thereof.
 28. Adevice as defined in claim 21, wherein said decal application tabportions are defined by opposite longitudinal ends, each of saidlongitudinal ends having a peripheral contour matching the contour ofthe cuticle portion of the human fingernail or toenail.
 29. A device asdefined in claim 21, wherein said central body portion includes aperforation for separating the device into two parts.